EPL: Manchester United reject £20m bid from West Ham for Maguire

A £20m bid from West Ham to sign English defender Harry Maguire has been rejected by Manchester United.

Though Maguire has slipped down the pecking order at Old Trafford, United will only let the 30-year-old leave if a significant bid comes in.

The England defender is valued at closer to £40m and if it’s not matched, manager Erik ten Hag will have to move on with him next season.

Ten Hag who prefers Lisandro Martínez and Raphael Varane at centre-back, had stripped Maguire of the captaincy earlier this summer, but he wants at least four central defenders in his squad.

The Athletic reported that Europa Conference League champions West Ham have made an offer of £20m for Harry Maguire, but it was rejected by Manchester United as it is £65m less than what they paid for him in 2019.

The Hammers are now mulling over whether they will return with an improved bid for the ex-Leicester star.

David Moyes is believed to be desperate to secure the services of the experienced centre-back as they prepare for the Europa League next season. However, they are doubtful whether Maguire even wants to leave United. Maguire’s £190,000 weekly salary could also prove to be problematic.

There are no guarantees at this stage that Maguire will agree to leave or a suitor will cough up the money to persuade United to sell.

Maguire joined United from Leicester in an eye-watering £85 million deal in 2019 and United face a battle to recoup even close to half of that fee.

Maguire whose contract with Manchester United will expire in 2025, played in 31 of the club’s 62 matches in all competitions during the 2022-23 season, including eight Premier League starts, with Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes captain in his absence.